Tugboat related issues, comments, and opinion.

Happy Thanksgiving

Like many us I am working the holiday this year. It’s fortunate that the weather has cooperated and served up a crystal clear early morning and provided us with a sunny transit in Delaware Bay’s upper reaches and the C&D Canal’s meander. Nothing in particular stands out about the trip, it was just a picture perfect ride. I couldn’t not take the video.

My crew and I wish you all a healthy, happy holiday season. Wherever you may be spending it, enjoy.

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6 Responses

Looked like a lovely passage! Been over the St. George bridges on my way to Washington D.C. a number of times. Actually I do it because I divert to Helens Sausage House in Smyrna for breakfast. Hope to be bringing my boat through the C & D canal and into the Chesapeake one of these years. Until then I enjoy traveling along vicariously with you and the crew. Thanks for the ride!

Happy New Year. I’m curious, how old would you consider “too old” to try to get on a tug/push boat as a green deckhand? I’m 39, live in Michigan. My wife’s family are all from Louisiana, and I see quite a number of job postings for push boat deckhands. (Yes, Michigan’s economy is still one of the worst.) The only requirement being (for many) you only need possess a TWIC. Now, here’s the reality. As I mentioned, I am 39 — I have (like thousands of Michiganders) spent several years unemployed. My last job was in the financial sector. (Don’t let that fool you about me.) Prior to that I made my living building docks and seawalls on inland lakes. All year ’round. I am a 23 year rugby veteran — I think I can hold my own. But I know none of that automatically qualifies anybody to be physically “ready” to come on board, as it were. I’ve researched the job, and it looks like something I would enjoy. (For a lack of better terms). Again, there is literally nothing here in MI that someone could, realistically, consider as a career opportunity. But if I am going to commit myself to pursuing a career on deck, and get myself and my family the heck out of “the Mitt”; am I setting myself up for a crash course in 1) “it ain’t what your think”, or 2) and most importantly, “you’re too old”?

Steve, I appreciate your question. If you find an opportunity to try this industry for size you won’t be disappointed with the challenges it offers. However you may find the hill a bit steep. A young person starting a career in this business can be at a bit of a disadvantage even though he or she may be strong and willing, their focus and drive may be lacking. Nothing motivates like a wife, mortgage and a three year old. Some military folks (Navy, Marines,Coast Guard) transition quite well after they complete their 20 retire to their next career.. Of course if you’re looking for great money and perks, this isn’t the way to go. An older applicant may find the bullshit factor a bit too high and the payoff way low.
That said, older workers prove their worth by showing a deeper commitment to the job and a knack for paying attention to the things that count. You may well find the job a good fit, however (isn’t there always a however?), the time away from home is what makes or breaks the effort. If you and your family are willing to focus on the long term goal of first learning the job and then advancing, you’ll find a decent living can be made. The time away from home is substantial, like half the time or more.
This isn’t a job where you get rich and comfortably retire at 65. You will work and travel and train, licensing is a steep hill and sea time requirements are immutable. Entry level is the lowest wage scale and you need to be okay with scraping by on a minimal income while you’re training for higher pay grades. In addition to that it goes to your emotional stamina that you’ll be up against younger folks who may or may not be as driven. Not all outfits offer benefits a family would need. Without beating an old horse to death, you need to be the right guy in the right place at the right time to get a shot. It’s not about how old is too old, it’s more like how much time can you devote to a new career where you’ll be playing catch up for a few years or more and then be okay with the fact that it may only go so far..
As for the Mississippi pushboats, I’ve no experience working on the western rivers and my advice would be to research the working conditions you plan to be subjecting your 39 year old self to. Try the gCaptain site for some reference. I hope this was helpful. Good luck.

Thank-you very much for the advice Captain. I will take everything you have suggested and add it to mental notes while exploring this potential new career.

I never thought I’d be looking for a new career at 39. (6 years in the Canadian army, and, a now, all but useless university degree [BA, the new high school diploma])… Nonetheless, as with any new career I am fully prepared for starting at the proverbial (and literal) “bottom”. I’m glad you raised the issue of it being hard on a family with the time away. That is certainly more food for thought. But, if you know anything about being a Michigander in the years of 2006-present, it’s harder simply trying to survive. A good man does what he has to do, and a good mother as well. My wife and I are full believers in that, so we’re prepared.

I want my son to look back many years from now and say he was “proud of the old man”. He [I] got into a profession with great traditions; but moreover he did what was right for his family. While I wound up a soldier for a time in my life, I guess you can say the water/sea is a family tradition I skipped until now. Both my grandfathers and father were Navy men. I grew up an Irish kid in Montreal; where everyone’s family [mine included] were cops, firemen, or harbor workers in the Port of Montreal. So, it must be in the blood somewhere?

Although the Discovery Channel has yet to have a show called “Tug Wars” or “Deadliest Tow”, I would never assume it to be anything less than good, honest, hard work. But I very much appreciate your pointing that out.

Per your comment regarding “however” (which made me chuckle when I read the reference, because it is true) and coming full circle, “however” is, I believe, ancient Latin for “life in modern Michigan”. We are the “however”:

I began one official “first step” this morning by pre-enrolling for my TWIC. No feet first for this fella — learn first, then jump… but be prepared.

Again, I sincerely appreciate your experienced advice, and I will fully explore everything you have suggested; and fully bear in mind the remainder.

On a side note: All I can say that I know for sure about working conditions on the Mississippi would be to say… it will be [insert expletive] hot!

Feel free to keep me in the loop. I’d be happy to help answer any other questions you’ll have. If I can’t, I know many who can. Best of luck.
P.S., Steve, you have a good handle on clearly expressing your thoughts. As a suggestion I would say that you should document/blog the journey as it unfolds for good or ill.

Thanks again Captain. Once I’m comfortable that I have researched everything you have suggested and other mitigating factors, vis-a-vis, a strong starting point to pull the trigger and start applying; I may just start blogging about it. This portion of the process (things such as reaching out to people like you) I may put in a retrospective tome.